Improvement in fences



" H. B. MYERS.

Patented Nov. 29, 1864:

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A i N H. B. MYERS, OF SCHOOLORAFT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF, JAS.

A. OSTROM, AND H. CRAWFORD, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 15,298, dated November 29, 1864.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, H. B. MYERS, of Schoolcraft, in the county of Kalamazoo and State of Michigan, have invented a new and Improved Fence; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure 1 represents a front elevation of a section of my fence. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 4: is a horizontal section of one of the pickets.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

This invention consists in the employment or use of pickets provided with an oblique kerf at or near their top ends and with dowelpins or tenons projecting from their bottom ends, to be used in combination with a wire stretched from one post to the other and with a longitudinal foundation-rail in such a manner that by causing the oblique kerfs to catch over the wire and inserting the dowel-pins in appropriate sockets in the foundation-rail the pickets are steadied on top and bottom, and a light, durable and cheap fence is produced. To prevent the pickets from moving on the wire in a longitudinal direction, said wire is slightly bent on both sides of each picket and by these means the pickets are firmly confined in their places.

My fence is composed of posts A, which are firmly secured in the ground, if the fence is to be stationary, or which may be secured to legs or short crossbars B, as shown in the drawings, if the fence is to be portable. Said posts are put up at the desired distances apart,

and they are connected at or near the ground by the longitudinal rail 0 and at or near their upper ends by awire, D. This wire ought to be of copper, or, if made of iron, it ought to be protected by a coat of zinc or other material.

The pickets E are provided near their top ends with oblique slots or kerfs a and from their bottom ends project dowel-pins or tenons b, and if the kerfs a are made to catch over the wire D and-the dowel-pins are inserted in appropriate sockets in the upper edge of the foundation-rail each picket is held at top and bottom.

In order to prevent the pickets from sliding along on the wire, bends c are made in the wire, as shown in Fig. 4. These bends are just wide enough to receive the pickets, and after the pickets have been properly adjusted in these bends and in the sockets of the foundation-rail, the fence is firm and capable to stand wind and weather. The bends in the wire prevent the pickets sliding on said wire, and the kerfs in the pickets are thereby enabled to take a firm hold of the wire and render the top ends of the pickets perfectly steady. The bottom ends are held in place by the dowels, and a firm, cheap, and durable fence is thus produced. When it is desired to take the fence down, the pickets can be readily removed. No nails are used in putting up the fence, the pickets are not liable to split, and they can be put up and taken down hundreds of times without sustaining the slighest injury.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent 1. The oblique kerfs a at or near the top end of the pickets E, and the dowel-pins b, in their bottom ends, to operate in combination with the wire D and foundation-rail G, in the manner and for the purpose substantially as set forth.

2. The bends O in the wire 1), to operate in combination with the oblique kerfs a in the pickets, substantially as and for the purpose described.

H. B. MYERS.

YVitnesses:

JOHN MGOREARY, 0. It. Huron. 

